50+ Blogging Statistics You Can Refer to Beyond 2022

If you’ve been on the fence about blogging being a worthwhile investment for your brand, you aren’t alone.

Starting a blog is a big commitment. It requires research to find the right topics, and it takes time to craft a well-written, high-quality blog post. Then, you‘ll need to consider SEO and promoting your content to drive traffic. Time, money, and effort are requirements for successful blogging.

For those reasons, many brands want to ensure the return on investment that blogging can provide before moving forward. If you’re in that same boat, we’ve compiled 50+ blogging statistics that prove the value of crafting high-quality blog content.

For example, Express Writers has been blogging consistently for nearly 10 years. Targeting the right keywords and building this catalog of quality content has brought us many of our clients while growing our online presence and revenue.

If you need a little convincing that starting a blog is the right move, this post shares some blogging statistics that show why your blog is key to getting discovered in 2022 and beyond. To make this data easy to consume, we’ve grouped everything into six core topics:

Essential Blogging Statistics: The State of Blogging in 2022

Did you know that the first blog appeared in 1994? It’s true! The very first blog post was written by U.S. journalist Justin Hall. He started a personal blog to document his life. And just a few years later, in 2000, the number of blogs had grown to 23. It’s difficult to think back to a time when blogs were largely unheard of.

Nowadays, blogging has become very normalized. Many brands and regular folks have started blogs to share their content with the world. People around the world make a living through blogging. What was once rare has become a regular practice.

Blogging is so popular around the world that there are even impressive blogging statistics that will give you a sense of how big the blogosphere is.

1. There are more than 600 million blogs on the web today out of the 1.7 billion websites in existence.
2. About 60 million of those blogs are hosted on WordPress.
3. WordPress boasts about 70 million blog posts being published monthly, with 77 million new blog comments generated each month.
4. In the U.S. alone, there are around 31.7 million bloggers, which is up from 28 million in 2015.
5. Approximately 60% of internet users regularly read blogs.

With around 329.5 million people living in the U.S., it’s wild to think that 31.7 million of them have blogs. This reveals just how appealing blogging has become to people all over the world. Not only can companies build thought leadership and generate sales, but so many people start personal blogs to document their lives or share their passions.

Even though other content formats, such as video and podcasting, have become popular, these blogging statistics show that it’s still worthwhile (and cool) to have a blog of your own. Sharing information this way shows no signs of slowing down, especially considering that 70 million blogs are published monthly on WordPress alone.

Blogging is even more appealing today when you consider it’s never been easier to get started. There are so many platforms that allow you to build a blog (like WordPress and Squarespace), so there are many budget-friendly options that are easy to use. You may also want to consider publishing content on Medium. Or you might opt to jump on board with microblogging via Tumblr. There are about 518.7 million blogs on Tumblr, so you’d be in good company.

6. 48% of companies with a content market strategy actively leverage blogging.
7. More than half of content marketers say blogging is their top inbound marketing priority.
8. 92% of content marketers utilize blogging in their marketing strategy, which makes them the content form with the highest popularity among content marketers.
9. If you look at the owned-media platforms B2B marketers used to distribute content in the last 12 months, blogs are in second place at 76%. This is right behind their organization’s website, which 90% of respondents chose.

When looking at the world of content marketing, blogging seems to reign supreme. Content marketers truly see and understand the value of publishing blog content. That’s because relying on a blog you own instead of building a presence on a social media platform that could disappear one day is often preferred. You own your blog. So it won’t go anywhere unless you choose to shut it down.

We’ll dive into some blogging statistics that are focused on ROI in a few, but all these content marketers can’t be wrong. Their blogs generate results, so they continue to prioritize them.

Developing a Data-Backed Posting Schedule

When you start blogging, you’re usually eager to get things done right. So, it’s no surprise when you find yourself wondering how often you should post for the best results. You want to post frequently enough to stay top of mind for your audience. However, it’s important not to stretch yourself too thin and commit to creating more content than you can handle. To help you find a happy medium, check out these statistics revealing that there’s more than one answer to choosing the perfect posting frequency.

10. Businesses publishing 16 or more blog posts a month obtain 3.5 times more traffic than those that publish fewer than four posts.
11. In a 2021 survey of online bloggers, 22% of respondents said they published blog posts every week, while only 2% said they published blog posts daily.
12. 68.8% of the most active bloggers say they see strong results from publishing frequently.
13. It takes an average of three hours and 55 minutes to produce a blog post.

Your jaw dropped when you read that first statistic, didn’t it? While publishing 16 or more blog posts per month is certainly admirable, it’s not feasible for most. People don’t have the time to commit to creating so much content within a single month, so don’t feel bad if you can’t either. You’ll still be in great company by aiming for one post per week.

Web Tribunal says people are posting less often these days. In 2014, it was reported that most bloggers published anywhere from two to six blog posts per week. By 2018, that dropped to just a few posts per month.

Considering the recommendations are across the board, it’s really about doing what works best for you instead of trying to replicate the success others are seeing. But there are a few things to keep in mind as you develop a posting schedule for your blog:

• Posting every day will yield fantastic results, but only if you have the time to dedicate to creating quality content. Your content should never suffer because you’re struggling to hit deadlines.
• If you’re not interested or cannot post daily, aim to create at least one new blog per week. This ensures you have a consistent schedule and gives your readers a reason to keep coming back to your website.
• Be sure to dive into your analytics to see how your blog performs. If you decide to increase or decrease your posting frequency, pay attention to how it impacts your traffic. Then you’ll know what really makes a difference for you and your readers.

While it’s great to consider what the most recent blogging statistics say about posting frequency, it’s ultimately your decision. Decide how many posts you can commit to within a single month and let that guide you.

Creating the Perfect Blog Post, According to Research

It’s not enough to impress your readers with a great blog post. Every time you create a new post, you also want to make sure Google is happy. If Google doesn’t love the content you put out there, it’s unlikely your blog posts will find their way to the top of the SERPs. If you want to drive steady organic traffic back to your website, it’s an important step.

Luckily, Google has shared their thoughts on what quality content is. Plus, some handy blogging statistics offer insights to shape the posts you create moving forward. Here are a few things you should know if you want to ensure your readers (and Google) are happy:

14. Experts recommend creating blog posts between 1,500-2,000 words.
15. But HubSpot says your blogs should be 2,100-2,400 words for SEO.
16. Articles with fewer than 3,000 words were third in B2B content assets that produced the top results in the last 12 months.
17. Meanwhile, longer reads, with at least 7,000 words, drive almost 4x more traffic than average-length articles that are 900-1,200 words.

The reality is that every blog post you publish will vary in length. Some may require more writing than others to get your point across. For instance, the majority of the blogs we publish are around 1,500 words. But this post is significantly longer at around 4,000 words to accommodate all the blogging statistics we want to share.

However, a great goal is to hit 1,000-1,500 words with each post you write. It should allow you plenty of room to share all the points you want to communicate to your reader without overwhelming them. While a lengthy guide is fine from time to time, many readers don’t look for that every week. It’s more important to consider how many words a particular piece will require.

18. Having a headline with six to eight words can increase your click-through rate by 21%.
19. But headlines with 10-13 words drive twice as much traffic and 1.5x more shares than shorter headlines.
20. 36% of readers prefer list-based headlines, with “how-to” headlines not far behind.
21. Adding a hyphen or a colon to a headline can increase your click-through rate by 9%.

The headline can make or break your blog post. That’s because it’s the first thing people see. It’s the headline that will grab someone’s attention and get them to click or prompt them to keep on scrolling. And, since you’re trying to generate traffic and readers, you want to ensure your headlines are irresistible.

When it comes to the perfect headline length, the blogging statistics are all over the place. Some experts say to keep it short and sweet, while others feel longer headlines deliver the best results. Ideally, you’ll want to test this and see what your readers respond to. Collect data over time to watch for trends about the length of a headline and how much traffic that post received.

One tried and true method for a winning headline? Numbers are always a hit with readers. Not only are they eye-catching, but they let a reader know what to expect. They’ll know from the start how many tips you plan on sharing, making it more enticing. Consider these two options:

Headline 1: How to Book 5 Clients in the Next 2 Weeks

Headline 2: 10 Easy Ways to Book 5 New Clients in the Next 2 Weeks

While these two headlines are largely the same, they both have a different vibe. And that vibe will prompt someone to click the link to view your post. So, which one is more appealing to you? If you chose the second headline, you’ve picked a list-based headline. Whenever possible, incorporate a list into your headline to see if it resonates and attracts more readers.

22. More than half of blog posts with a complex structure (featuring h2, h3, and h4) perform highly in traffic and engagement. 44% of blog posts with a simple structure (just h2 and h3) are also high-performing.
23. Posts that contain at least one list per every 500 words of plain text get 70% more traffic than blog posts without lists.
24. Blog posts with at least one image tend to see twice as much traffic as posts only containing text. These posts will also see 30% more shares and 25% more backlinks.
25. Blog posts that contain images get 94% more views when compared to posts without visuals.
26. Using photos that contain real people instead of stock photos can result in a 35% conversion increase.

Your blog post is more than just the words you’ve written. You also need to consider several important formatting elements that enhance readability and make your content more appealing to readers. For instance, using headers (such as h2 and h3) can help break up text into different sections. It’s easier to digest than a big block of text.

Lists, whether numbered or bulleted, are great as well. Again, it just makes it easy for your reader to consume your content. And as you can see from the blogging statistics above, people love visuals. Not only do they break up the text, but visuals can aid your reader in understanding the content you’ve written. Always aim to incorporate a few images into your blog posts, whether you create them in-house or source them from other sites. Just be sure to credit the original creator.

Statistics on Reader & Customer Behavior

Understanding your readers is one key to a successful blog. To do that, study them via your analytics or market research. This will allow you to better cater to their needs and deliver the content they’re looking for. The following blogging statistics will help you better understand how the average blog reader views blogs and their behavior patterns when actively reading a post.

First, let’s talk about how your blog influences a reader’s perception of you based on credibility and trustworthiness. This is why so many brands rely on blogging. You gain exposure but also build thought leadership. Here’s what you need to know:

27. Blogs have been rated the fifth most trustworthy source when it comes to gathering information online.
28. In fact, 68.5% of consumers feel a blog adds to a website’s credibility.

Readers see the value of blogging. They consider blogs to be trustworthy sources when they’re searching for information online, as it’s how many of them consume content. Blogs even add to your overall credibility while educating and informing your readers.

29. About 71% of B2B buyers will read content during the buyer journey.
30. 60% of consumers say blog posts are valuable when in the early stages of the buying process.
31. Also, 61% of people are more likely to buy from a company that produces unique content.

If your brand sells any kind of product or service, you can use your blog posts to establish credibility and promote your offerings more effectively.

A great blog post could be what prompts someone to make a purchase with you over a competitor, which is worth keeping in mind when writing content. That’s because you’re an expert on what you do, and you can easily showcase that through your blog. Show off your skills and knowledge with everything you create.

You should remember that buyers are often skeptical. They aren’t always quick to make a purchase. That’s why you’ll want to use your blog posts to gently lead them towards your offerings. Create that desire in them, educate them on your product or service, and your blogs may just lead to an increase in conversions.

32. 43% of people confess to skimming blog posts, instead of reading them entirely.
33. In fact, readers spend approximately 37 seconds reading a blog post.

The above blogging statistics are probably frustrating to read. After all, you work hard to create your blog content, so you want people to read what you’ve written thoroughly. However, this simply isn’t happening very often. Most people are just skimming your posts, and they’re doing so in under one minute. Wild! It just goes to show that we’re in a rush to consume content these days.

To help you better prepare for this, keep this advice in mind:

• Make your blogs easy to skim by using short paragraphs, headers, and visuals. Here’s a hint: use your visuals to draw attention to the most compelling points in your post, such as statistics.
• Use a strong hook to grab their attention at the beginning of the post. You want to pique their interests and leave them wanting more so they keep reading.
• Focus on providing valuable information they’ll be unlikely to find elsewhere. It can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but if you can offer something unique, your readers will likely appreciate it.

Implementing this advice will make your blog posts more appealing to those who are just coming to skim the surface. Again, it’s all about catering to their needs once you understand their behavior.

Understanding the True ROI of Blogging

The moment you’ve all been waiting for! What kind of results can you expect blogging to deliver? It really depends on what goals you set, so it’s important to know what your endgame is when you start and manage a blog of your own. However, the following blogging statistics show the ROI many have experienced because of their hard work.

34. 56% of marketers who leverage blogging feel it’s an effective tactic. 10% say it generates the largest return on investment.
35. 72% of online marketers label content creation as their most effective SEO tactic.
36. Businesses with blogs experience twice as much email traffic as businesses that don’t.
37. SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate, while the close rate is 1.7% for outbound leads (direct mail or print advertising).
38. Companies who blog get 97% more links to their websites.
39. Websites that have a blog are shown to have 434% more indexed pages.

Having a blog allows you to produce high-quality, optimized content consistently. This gives Google more to index – up to 434% more than websites that don’t have a blog. Of course, this won’t happen overnight. You need to be persistent and make sure you’re doing your best to climb to the top of the SERPs. Keep in mind:

• Consistency is key, so create a publishing schedule that works for you. How many high-quality blog posts can you commit to each month?
• Again, it’s all about quality. If your blog posts aren’t great, Google won’t want to recommend them, and people won’t want to read them. Quality over quantity.
• Be mindful of SEO tactics so you can effectively optimize your content.
• Don’t be afraid to delegate if you can’t maintain consistency on your own. Creating great blog content takes time and effort. If you don’t have what it takes to do it alone, you can always outsource to an agency.

40. 34% of bloggers say that updating their older blog content produces strong results. However, only 38% of bloggers take steps to renovate these posts.
41. Updating blog posts can increase traffic by 106%.

The good news is that you don’t always have to come up with fresh, brand-new ideas. You can often revisit your archives to find older blog posts that desperately need refreshing. Those posts can be updated and republished as new to drive even more traffic and interest. This is a smart tactic to implement for any evergreen content to ensure it reflects the latest data and advice.

42. 57% of marketers say blogging helped them gain new customers.
43. B2B companies using blogs see 67% more leads than those without blogs.
44. You have a 13x larger chance of achieving satisfying ROI when using blogging in your marketing strategy.
45. Because it’s so scalable and affordable, businesses note that blogging is the third most common content marketing strategy.

New customers would be a dream, right? Well, your blog can help you make that happen! As you can see, many marketers and B2B companies attract paying customers through their blog content. You just need to make sure you’re creating content that’s relevant to your target buyer to attract them to your website in the first place.

Earnings & Revenue Blogging Statistics

You might be wondering – What exactly do people earn when it comes to their blogs? Is it really all that lucrative? If you’re a brand offering products and services, blogging is only one piece of the puzzle. However, you may be looking to start a blog and make it your primary source of income. If that’s you, these blogging statistics are eye-opening about what you can earn.

46. Bloggers can achieve an average monthly salary of $8,000.
47. Around 25% of bloggers on WordPress use their blogs for full-time earnings.
48. During a 2021 survey that featured influencers from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., it was discovered a blogger with a Domain Authority score of over 50 expected to receive around $549 USD per post on average. Those with a Trust Flow Score of more than 20% required $330 USD per post.
49. Personal finance and food bloggers tend to have the highest income. For food bloggers, $9,169 is the middle ground for income, while personal finance bloggers make $9,100 monthly.
50. Lifestyle or mommy blogs are the next highest income levels, followed by travel.
51. Bloggers making between $7,500 and $25,000 each month generate 42.2% of their revenue through affiliates.

There can be a high pay-off for blogging. But keep in mind that those with this level of income didn’t do it overnight. Their posting schedule was consistent, delivered quality content, and never gave up. You have to be willing to put in the work if you want to reap the rewards financially.

These Blogging Statistics Show How Valuable a Blog Can Be

Now that you see how powerful it can be to have a blog, it’s time to take content creation seriously. If you’re able to create blog content on your own, that’s amazing. However, if you need some help with consistency and publishing high-quality content, it’s time to consider outsourcing. Our team at Express Writers can create incredible blog posts your readers and Google will love.

Unsure which blogging option is the best to build authority? Get in touch with our client success team today.